Stress-Free Travel in a Post-Pandemic World

– What to Know Before You Go

At a time when going to the local grocery store makes you anxious, how nerve-wracking will an overseas vacation be? The short answer is nobody knows. But aside from the extra precautions you’ve probably already been taking at home, chances are that post-pandemic travel won’t be any more—or any less—stressful than it’s always been. A certain level of anxiety and stress is just part of the hard work of planning a vacation. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate a lot of that stress—or at least keep it to a minimum. So that you can enjoy stress -free travel in this new world we are living in! Here’s a few tips to help you get the most out of the vacation you’ve waited so long to enjoy again.

First Things First – Dust Off the Passport

With the lengthy travel lockdown, your passport’s probably been relegated to the back of your sock drawer. Make sure that it hasn’t expired, and that it’s valid through 2021—better still, through the end of next year. Remember, many countries require that a passport be valid six months beyond when you entered the country. Also make sure you have enough blank pages in it to accommodate entry and exit stamps. Renewing passports or getting blank pages added to existing passports is taking even longer than usual. It’s best to get it over and done with as early as possible—even if you’re not planning to travel until next year. Here’s a link to get you started: https://www.usa.gov/passport

Early Planners Don’t Panic Later

While these are far from normal times, the same basic planning principles apply. The only way to get the flights you want, to the destinations you want, on the travel dates you want—is by planning early. Last-minute travel deals are right for some people, but only if you don’t really care when you go or where you stay. And there’s no downside to planning early. Sure, putting together an itinerary and all that goes with it—the flights, transfers, hotels, and activities—takes time and can fray nerves, but they’ll be soothed when everything’s in place. Of course, you can eliminate the stress and hard work entirely if we do the planning for you (stress-free travel is our specialty!)

I Want to Plan Early, But Where Can I Go?

It shouldn’t be a problem for going ahead and planning a late fall or 2022 vacation, but immediate international travel is still a bit tricky. Some countries have clearly outlined their entry requirements, while others are still finalizing their plans. During this transition period, destination entry requirements and COVID-19 regulations are changing almost daily. Some countries still do not have concrete timelines in place for reopening borders. We stay up to date on travel restrictions around the world and would be happy to advise you on the status of any destination you’re thinking about. And if you have specific travel dates locked in, now’s the time to plan. Here’s a great resource to help, and keep you up to date https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-planning-center/find-your-destination/explore-top-destinations

Leaving Home – Uh Oh, Did I Leave the Iron On?

One of the best things you can do before a trip is have a checklist. Just jot down everything you need to do and check off each item when it’s completed. The reason it’s such a good idea should be obvious: It’s always the little things that kill you. Did you cancel the newspaper? Or inform your bank about the dates of each country you’d be visiting? We’ve seen more than one vacation ruined when charge cards are suddenly canceled! Did you arrange for someone to check the house—and feed the cat? Or you pack your prescription medicine? Did you purchase travel insurance (advisable more than ever these days)?

When everything’s checked off, you’ll be surprised how much tension and stress begins to ease. Even driving to the airport is more pleasant when your mind is emptied of lingering doubts and you’re able to focus on the discoveries that lies ahead. It’s difficult for anyone to enjoy a vacation with a suitcase packed with worries. You don’t want to be in a bad mood when you should be having fun. The famous travel writer Paul Theroux had something to say about people who let stress to get the better of them. “You cannot be a grumpy traveler,” he said, “You will not get anywhere.”